A Kajri Geet on pilgrim places in Varanasi

Varanasi, Banaras, Kashi. The mere thought of these names resonates tranquil notes in the hearts of the devotees of Lord Shiva. The Shashtras proclaim that the Kashi Kshetra rests on the Trishulof Lord Shiva and every grain of this sacred place is suffused with His presence. Shiva verily breaths in Kashi. Kashi breathes Shiva.Kashi which means light has always stood as a lighthouse to the drifting souls in the ocean of Maya. Millions of pilgrims teem this city chanting ‘Har-Har Mahadev’. Thousands of foreigners flock here to be awed by the spirited Indian culture that has preserved itself for eons. Many seeking the supreme truth are drawn to this epicenter of learning. One thread connects them all. Shiva.There are numerous temples in the city dedicated to the Cosmic dancer and each one of them proclaims His glory with never-ending fervor and ecstasy. From dawn to dusk, the atmosphere reverberates with the ringing of bells and sound of conchs. Shiva’s name has been chanted in this ancient city for millennia. Nothing has ever been able to stop the devotees from shouting out the glory of their beloved Lord. Just as life has its ups and downs, this living city to has had its own share of hardships and tough times. Every phase of calmness and peace has been followed by dark periods of pillaging and destruction. One entity that has stood with Varanasi through its crests and troughs is the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Kashi Viswanath Temple

गङ्गातरङ्गरमणीयजटाकलापं

गौरीनिरन्तरविभूषितवामभागम् ।

नारायणप्रियमनङ्गमदापहारं

वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्।

Ganggaa-Tarangga-Ramanniiya-Jattaa-Kalaapam

Gaurii-Nirantara-Vibhuussita-Vaama-Bhaagam |

Naaraayanna-Priyam-Anangga-Madaa-pahaaram

Vaaraannasii-Pura-Patim Bhaja Vishvanaatham..

Sankaracharya, the 8th-century saint who spanned the length and breadth of the Indian subcontinent awakening Shiva consciousness among the masses had penned these verses extolling Shiva as Vishwanath, the Lord of Universe. Kashi Vishwanath temple embodies the supreme consciousness and serves as a fitting seat of the most benevolent Lord.

Durgakund Temple

या देिी सिवभूतेिुशक्ति-रूपेण संक्तथथता

िमस्तस्यै, िमस्तस्यै, िमस्तस्यैिमो िमः ॥

Ya Devi sarvabhuteshushakti – rupena samsthita,

Namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namo namah

The Shakti aspect of nature is celebrated by Hindus in the form of Goddess Durga who is revered as the supreme mother. She is a ferocious goddess who combats evil forces that pose threat to peace and prosperity. Durga kund temple in Varanasi glorifies that very nature of the mother goddess and is very famous among Shakti worshippers..

The one who is as swift as mind and as fast as wind, who has mastered all of his senses and is wisest of all, who is offspring of the wind god and chief of Vanaras, to that messenger and devotee of Lord Rama, I seek refuge. Hanuman, the monkey faced god and the beloved devotee of Sri Rama, is one of the most revered in the Hindu pantheon.

Penned by Adi Sankara, these verses pay respects to Kal Bhairav, the protector of the Kashi. Sankara invokes Kal Bhairav as the one whose feet are served by Indra, who is ever benevolent and his forehead is adorned by crescent moon, whose sacred thread is a snake, who is worshipped by sages like Narada, and who wears nothing but the air.